Container



Aug 18, 1942 w. v. ROBERTS 2,293,361.

CONTAINER Filed April 23, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l W/LL/AM Y ROBERTS BW (9 M ATTORNEY Allg' 18, 1942 w. v. ROBERTS 2,293,361

Filed April 25, 1940 3 Shee's-Sheel 2 INVENTOR. W/LL/AM I( ROBERTS l Blf/55d 0. 'I

' l l A TTORNEY Aug. 18, 1942.

W. V. ROBERTS CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 23, 1940 ATTORNEY m R. M ma WR, JV@ MW L N. WW.

in and in my parent application, above identified, wherein a liner, which may or may not include the resilient side wall components as integral parts thereof, has extensions thereon along the upper edges of the side wall sections, interlocking with folded over cover tabs extending from the upper edges of the container side walls. The absence of packing stresses in the container side walls, attributed to the interlocking of the resilient side wall components with the end walls, enables the container side walls to be retained In position, even under such extreme conditions, where, through rough handling during shipment,

\the side walls may be torn away from the end walls. The interlocking of the resilient side wall components with the end walls being independent Iof the side walls of the container, will enable the fruit to be retained in properly packed condition, in spite of any damage which may conceivably result to the side walls of the container during shipment. and will thus assure the safe arrival `of the fruit at its destination in its originally packed condition.

'Ihe container is so designed that upon its arrival at its flnal destination, the contents need ,not be removed for display purposes, as the container itself is convertible in such a manner as to enable the contents to be properly displayed, with suitable advertising advantages inherent in the construction. When thus displayed in the container in which' it has been shipped, the fruit is maintained in the same properly packed condition as during shipment, which serves to protect the same against damage which might otherwise result from the handling of such fruit in the customary manner. Inasmuch as the proper packing conditions are maintained in my improved container, by the resilient side wall components, it naturally follows that the removal of th'e upper layers of the fruit inthe sale of the same, will not disturb the proper packingrconditions of the underlayers, thus maintaining the fruitin good salable condition.

For a more detailed description of the invention, reference will now be made to the various embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

The container I of Figure 1 is assembled from the container blank 3 of Figure 2, the liner l of Figure 3, a pair of resilient side wall components 1 of the type depicted in Figure 4, and an end brace 3 for each end wall I as shown in Figure l. This end brace constitutes a rectangular frame of wood or other material, into which nails may be driven, and serves as a reinforcement for and constitutes an element of each of the end walls of th'e container.

The blank 3 from which the container is formed is substantially rectangular in shape, and embodies a continuous longitudinal intermediate portion scored transversely at intervals, to provide alternate side and end wall sections I3, l5, I1 and I9 in sequence. The extreme end wall section I3 is provided, along its free edge, with a fastening tab 2|, to be secured as by stapling to the free edge of the first side wall section I3, in

the process of assembling the container. The bottom 23 of the container is formed from tabs 23, 21, 29 and 3| in sequence, extending from an edge of each of the side and end wallsections, respectively, these tabs cooperating to provide the bottom by overlapping one with the oth'er, enabling them to be stapled together into fixed cooperating position. The end wall section II has extending from its opposite edge, an extena double score line, and end wall section I3 is similarly provided with an extension 35. Each of these extensions has formed therein a row of tabs 31 along each side edge thereof and spaced from such edge a distance equal to the width of a vertical member 33 of the end brace 3.

The cover for the container is formed from tabs 4| and 43, each extending from the opposite edge of one side wall section, and marked off therefrom by a similar double score line. Each of such tabs Il and 43 is divided longitudinally into two substantially equal parts 45 and 41, and Il and il, respectively, thus permitting each tab to be folded back upon itself, with part Il matching up with part I1 in the tab 4| and part I3 matching up the part 5| in the other tab I3.

The liner blank is of rectangular form and scored transversely thereof, to provide a bottom section 53 flanked by side wall sections 53 and 51, respectively. Each of said side wall sections, in turn, has an extension 59 and 3|, respectively, integral therewith and marked off vfrom its associated side wall section by a double score line. The bottom section is further scored a slight distance from each longitudinal edge of the blank and parallel thereto, to create narrow tabs 03 and 65, one at each end of the bottom section 53 of the liner.

The container I utilizes a pair of the resilient side wall components 1, each of which comprises a section B1 of flberboard or the like, to which is amxed, as by stapling, a plurality of thin, resilient, wooden slats 88 or the like, which are laid parallel to the longer edge of the flberboard section, and protrude slightly beyond each end thereof. Each of the slats is of a width enabling it to force its way through an opening defined by a tab on the end wall extensions, and are spaced so' as to enable these slats to align themselves with the tabs during the assembling of the container.

` In assembling the components described, t0 obtain the container illustrated in Figure l, the blank is first folded along the score lines ,separating the side and end wall sections I3, Il, I1,

and I3, and the fastening tab 2| is'secured to the free edge of the side wall I3. The bottom sections 25, 21, 29 and 3| are then turned under and overlapped, and secured in cooperating position to define the bottom of the container. The liner i is then fitted into position, with its bottom section 53 resting upon the oor of the container, with the side wall sections 55 and l1 maching up with the side walls |3 and I1 of the container, the width of the liner blank beinl approximately equal to the overall internal length of the container. then placed in position against the end wall sections Il and I9, and the end wall section extensions 33 and 35 are then folded over the end braces, such extensions being of such alength as to approximately reach the floor of the container, thus serving to enclose the end braces. Prior to the assembly of these end wall components, the iioor section tabs 63 and 33 of the liner are raised, and following the folding over of the end wall extensions 33 and 3l, the tabs sion 33 marked oil? from the end wall section by 2l 33 and l! are permitted to spring back against' these end wall extensions, thus securing the same in position, as well as the end braces 9 enclosed The end braces areside wall components is` of a length enabling it to snugly fit between the end wallextensions 33 and 35, and the slat extensionsare preferably suillcient to approximately reach the end wall l sections I and I9. During the assembling of these resilient side wall components'the slat ends are forced against the tabs 31,` causing them to bend outof the plane of their associated `end wall extension, thereby permitting the slat extensions to pass through the end wall extensions and bear against the end wall braces. whereby these resilient side wall componentsare locked against endwise movement in the direction of the side walls` I3 and I1 of the containenand are maintained in spaced relationship thereto. The tabs 31, following the insertion of the slat extensions, bear against the slats, and maintain them in pressure engagement against the upright members 39 of the end braces. -The container is completed by folding the side wall tabs 4|.and 43 over the` liner extensions 59 and 6I, respectively, and in sealing the container for shipment, following packing ofthe same, the folded over side wall tabs are then brought down upon the upper edges of the end walls II, and secured thereto. In securing the cover to the end walls,

cleats are usually placed upon the folded down cover sections, prior to `nailing the same to the end walls. 'Ihe cover tab dimensions are preferably such as to leave a Ventilating slit between the cover sections when the container is packed and made ready for shipment.

In packing a container of the type described, the fruit is packed 'under pressure sumcient to cause the resilient side wall components 1 to bulge outwardly in the direction of the side walls I3` and I1 of the container, whereby, in the event of shrinkage of the fruit during shipment, such shrinkage will be compensated for by the resilient side wall components, thereby maintaining the fruit in proper packed condition throughout shipment.

It will be apparent from the construction of the components and the manner of assembling the same, that none of the packing stresses will be transmitted to the side `walls I3 and I1qof the container, as this is precluded by the locking engagement of the resilient side wall comtions occupy diiferent planes from those in which the `side walls of the container lie, any movement of a cover section from its closing position to a vertical position must necessarily result in a relative sliding movement of the liner extension within the fold ofthe tab. Consequently,` it must necessarily follow that if such relative movement is precluded by the use of some clip or other fastening means, the cover section will remain in any angular position to which it may have been moved prior to the application of such clip. This is of advantage in the use of the box for display purposes, for the desired angular position of` a cover section will depend, in large measure, on whether or not the container is tilted when placed on display.

'I'he other section of the cover formed by folded tab 43 may be swung down against the side wall l1 of the container, and secured in place by nailing the same to the end braces, and this cover section may also bear suitable advertising material on the exposed surface of the tab section 49 which will thereby be presented to view. In connection with this advertising aspect of my invention, it is to be noted that the exposed surponents 1 with the end walls II of the container as described. Consequently, inthe event of accidental damage tothe containerduring shipment, the contents of the container will remain in proper packed` condition for shipment, and the side walls of the container will be protected against being torn away from the container proper, through the inter-engagement of the linerextensions 59 and 6I `by` the folded over cover tabs 4| and 43. u w

While in the embodiment of Figure 1, the liner `5 is disclosed as being positioned between the converted, upon arrival at its final destination,`

for advertising and display purposes.` To effect such conversion, the cleats are removed, and one assembled in like manner.

faces of the cover sections, which are to bear the advertising matter, are on the same side of the container blank, and, consequently, the desired advertising material may be printed on the blank in one operation. and this also holds true in connection with any printed matter to be placed on those other portions 41 and 5| of the cover seclike, over which is nailed a section 15 of fiberboard extending slightly beyond the vertical members 11 of the end brace frame. To each of these extensions, there is aflixed a cleat 19, and this is adapted to be folded back into line with the adjacent vertical member 11 of the end brace frame. Tabs V8| are formed inthe fiberboard section, adjacent the vertical frame members 11, in a mannercorresponding to the tabs 31 provided in the turned over end wall extensions 33 and 35 of Figure 1. The resilient side wall components 1 are of similar construction to those employedin the container of Figure l, and are n The modified construction of Figure 6 offers a somewhat `greater bearing surface for the ends of the resilient side wall components, due to the cleats 19 which have been added to the end wall structure. As stated in connection with the embodiment of Figure 1, the liner may be inserted following the assembly ofthe `resilient side wall components, and the same advantages will prevail as in the construction of Figure 1. 1 "In the embodiment of:` my invention illustrated in Figure 11, the assembly has been somewhat simplified, without sacrificing any of the advantages inherent in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 6. In this embodiment, the end wall brace comprises a rectangular frame 83, to each of the vertical members 85 of which there is afilxed a rib 81, and the end wall extensions 89 and 9| of the container blank 93 are narrowed down to permit such extensions to fold over the end braces when in position; and fit between these ribs. The liner blank 95 is of rectangular form and scored to provide a bottom section 91 adapted to lit between the folded over end wall extensions 89 and 9|, and side wall sections 99 and IUI of corresponding length, to which are affixed slats |03 on the surface facing the side walls I3 and Il of the container. These resilient side wall components of the liner also ilt between the folded over end wall extensions, and bear against the ribs formed on the end braces, whereby they are maintained in spaced relationship with respect to the side walls I3 and I1 of the container, and are locked against endwise movement in the direction of such side walls by the ribs onv the end braces. Thus, the liner 95 takes on the function formerly attributed to the resilient side wall components 1 embodied in the constructions of Figures 1 and 6. In as much as the slats |03 in the embodiment of Figure 1l do not pass through the end wall extensions, as in Figure 1, or the equivalent thereof as in Figure 6, there is no necessity for forming tabs in the end wall extensions of this embodiment, thereby not only simplifying the construction of the container, but also materially simplifying its assembly.

In the further embodiment of my invention as depicted in Figure l2, each end wall brace |05 is provided'with ribs |01 or their equivalent, the internal edges of which are spaced from the frame proper, to slidably receive an end wall extension |09. After the end brace has been assembled with the end wall extension, as illustrated in Figure l2, the end wall extension may then be folded over into the container with the end brace, which, after it arrives at its nal position, will enable the resilient side wall components of a liner, such as illustrated in Figure 9, to bear against the ribs |01 and be retained thereby in spaced relationship to the side walls of the container, in the same manner as in the embodiment of Figure 11. x

Of course, it is apparent that in lieu of the improved liner of Figure 9, which incorporates the resilient side Wall components as integral parts thereof, independent resilient side wall components of the type illustrated in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 6, may be utilized, in which case the slat extensions would not be necessary and could be eliminated.

It will be apparent from the above description of the various embodiments of my invention, that the same will fulfill all the objects of my invention. Accordingly, whiler I have disclosed these various embodiments in great detail, it will be apparent that the same may be subject to modification and alteration, without departing from the principles of the invention, and I, accordingly, do not desire to be limited in my protection to the details of construction illustrated and described, except as may be necessitated by,

the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A container comprising end walls and outer side walls, and a resilient inner side wall component having spaced lslats attached thereto, with the ends of said slats projecting at each end thereof and anchored to the end walls, said inner resilient side wall being removably supported in spaced proximity to an outer side wall.

2. A container comprising end walls and outer side walls, and a liner comprising spaced resilient side wall components and a joining bottom section, said liner nesting between said outer side walls with said spaced resilient side wall-components anchored to said end walls away from any contact with said outer side walls.

3. A container comprising side and end walls, each of said end walls including a reinforcing end brace, and a liner having spaced resilient wall components and a joining section, said liner nesting between said side walls with said spaced resilient wall components supported by and locked between said end braces inspaced relationship to and against lateral end movement in the direction of said side walls.

4. A container comprising end walls and outer side walls, each of said end walls including a reinforcing rectangular frame attached thereto and having a pair of upright members, and a liner means having resilient inner side wall components substantially parallel to said outer side walls, with the ends thereof extending within said frames and held by said end walls to maintain said resilient inner side Wall components in spaced relationship to said outer side walls.

5. A container comprising end walls and outer side walls, each of said end walls including a reinforcing rectangular frame attached thereto and having a pair of upright members, and a pair of resilient inner side wall components extending within said frames and adapted to bear against said upright members in response to pressure ofcontents in said container .and be held in spaced relationship to and against lateralend movement in the direction of said outer side walls. I

6. A container comprising side and end walls, a liner having side wall sections and a joining section, a plurality of resilient strips ailixed to said side wall sections lengthwise of said container and extending beyond the ends of said liner, said liner nesting between said side walls with the extending ends of said strips in locking engagement with said end walls to preclude lateral end movement of said side wall sections in the direction of said side walls.

7. A container comprising side and end walls, a liner having side wall sections and a joining section, a plurality of resilient strips aflixed to said side wall sections lengthwise of said container and extending beyond the ends of said liner, said liner nesting between said side walls with the extending ends of said strips in locking engagement with said end walls at locations spaced from said side walls.

8. A container comprising end walls and outer side walls, a tab extension at the upper edge of each of said side walls, each of said tab extensions being foldable back upon itself, a liner nesting between said outer side walls and hav ing inner side wall sections anchored in said end walls against lateral movement in the direction of said outer side walls, with portions of said inner side wall sections extendable between the folds of said outer side wall tab extensions.

9. A container comprising side and end walls, a tab extension at the upper edge of yeach of said side walls, each of said tab extensions being foldable back upon itself, a liner nesting between said side walls and having side wall sections, each side wall section including a plurality of reagotan n 5 sions` to` fold, flatover saidcontainer, and means ,miennes.danseressen1n sod nat cti-.anguiarv ,container having sides, an atbottomend braces therein, means olfringaid en cl` braces, tabs cut through fb, asegito'verinstmens,auxiliary Sides terminally contacting said end brace coverings and extensions being foldable back upon itself, a pair comprising liner sections fixed to narrow resilof resilient inner side wall components anchored ient strips extending through said cut tabs into in said end walls in spaced relationship to said contact with said end braces, and being sepaouter side Walls, with portions of said resilient rated thereby from said sides, a liner covering inner side wall components extendable between said bottom, disposed between said sides and said the foldsof said tab extensions. auxiliary sides and extending therebeyond, the

11. A container comprising end walls and bottom portion of said liner adjacent said end outer side walls, a tab extension at the upper braces being bent up to retain said braces and edge of each of said side walls, each of said tab said brace coverings in position, the portions of extensions being foldable back upon itself, a said liner extending beyond said auxiliary sides liner having a pair of inner side wall sections, recooperating with extensions from said sides to silient strips afilxed to said` inner side wall secform top portions for said container.

tions and anchored in said end Vwalls at points 16. A container having sides, ends, and a botspaced from said outer sidewalls, with portions tom, end braces therein, extensions from said of said inner side wall sections extendable beends folding over and enclosing said end braces, tween the folds of said tab extensions. i a liner covering said sides and bottom between 12. A rectangular container comprising side said ends, said liner having tabs cut in the porand end wallsfeach end wall including an end tion thereof covering said bottom adjacent said brace therein having spaced parallel uprights, end braces, said tabs being bent back to engage and means for covering the interior exposed side the end extensions covering said braces and to of each of said end braces, tabs formed in each maintain said braces and coverings in position; of said brace covering means adjacent said upauxiliary sides positioned within said container rights, resilient wall components terminally encomprising liner sections covering resilient strips gaging said end Walls, each resilient wall comfixed thereto and extending through tabs cut in ponent including a section of berboard or the said end extensions whereby said strips may enlike and narrow resilient strips aiiixed thereto gage said end braces and be separated thereby and extending through each of said brace covfrom said sides; said liner extending above said ering means past said tabs into contact with upsides and being folded between extensions from rights in each end brace and separated thereby said sides to form top segments, said top and side from an adjacent side wall, extensions formed portions being doubly scored at their `Contiguous on said side walls, double scored to permit said portions, whereby the said top portions may be extensions to fold fiat upon the end walls of said folded flat at varying heights relative to said botcontainer, and means for maintaining said side tom, and means for maintaining the position of extensions in said flat folded position. Said folded top portions.

13. A rectangular container comprising side 17. In a fabricated container the combination and end walls, each end wall including an end of an outer casing having bottom, sides, and brace therein having spaced parallel uprights, ends, and extensions `on the ends adapted to be and means for covering the interior exposed side `bent inwardly into a spaced position substantialof each of said end braces, tabs formed in each of 1y parallel with the ends, a reinforcing member said brace covering means adjacent said upfitted against each of said ends and enclosed rights, resilient wall components terminally enwithin said space, and a liner fitted to said congaging said end walls and including narrow re- 5o tainer having bent 11D elements in pressure ensilient strips affixed thereto and extending Easement with said inwardly turned extensions through each of said brace covering means past to secure said reinforcing members against dissaid tabs into contact with uprights in each end placement, the Sides 0f the liner extending Subbrace, and separated thereby from said side stantially to the ends'of said container and being walls, a liner disposed between said side walls in side contact with said reinforcing members.

and said resilient wall components and including 18. A container having sides, ends, and a bota bottom portion and portions extending above tom. auxiliary ends Comprising liner sections said resilient wall components, said bottom porhaving brace members attached thereto, tabs tion of said liner adjacent said end braces being out through said liner sections, auxiliary sides bent up to retain said braces and said brace covcomprising liner sections lixed to narrow resilering means in position, the portions of said ient strips extending longitudinally therebeyond, liner extending above said resilient wall compo- Said extending Strip portions beine positioned to nents cooperating with tab extensions from said project through said cut tabs and engage said side walls to form top portions for said conbrace members, whereby said brace members tainer, may separate said auxiliary sides from the con- 14. A rectangular container having sides, tainer sides, and top extensions formed on said ends, and a bottom, end braces therein, means side and end portions scored to permit bending for covering said end braces, tabs cut through to close said container. said brace covering means, auxiliary sides ter- 19. In a container having sides, ends, and a minally contacting said end brace coverings and ,70 bottom, auxiliary sides comprising liner sections comprising liner sections fixed to narrow resilient strips extending through said cut tabs into conand of length slightly less than `the distance betact with said end braces, and being separated tween said container ends, auxiliary ends fitting thereby from said sides, extensions formed on snugly therein, each comprising a liner section said sides, double scored to permit said extenfixed to brace members having tabs cut therein,

fixed to resilient strips extendingv therebeyondl said liner extending beyond said brace members, having the extending portions folded back upon said liner, and having additional braces secured to said folded back portions, said auxiliary sides and ends being so positioned and arranged that said resilient strips may extend through said tabs and engage said braces, said tabs retaining said strips in such position and said braces separating said auxiliary sides from said container sides, top extensions from said container sides and ends separated therefrom by double scorings permitting said top extensions to be folded over said container at variable heights.

WILLIAM V. ROBERTS. 

